Linn County, Missouri

County Distress Index: Normal · 42.9 | 11,791 people · 83rd most distressed in Missouri
American Default Research

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Linn County, MO falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 42.9 — 2020th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Missouri, it ranks 83rd of 115 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Linn County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 57.8 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 57.8
Unemployment Rate 30
Poverty Rate 63
Income vs. State Median 61
Child Poverty Rate 63
Disability Rate 35
Transfer Income Dependency 79
Consumer Credit Distress 46.6
Debt in Collections 44
Medical Debt 43
Auto Loan Delinquency 60
Credit Card Delinquency 41
Uninsured Rate 63
Subprime Credit Population 40
Economic Vitality 42.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 43
Rent-to-Income Ratio 37
Business Formation Rate 68
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Housing Cost Burden 36.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 18
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 69
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 25
Legal Distress 10.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 10

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Linn County
Linn County, MO 42.9 Normal —
Adair County, MO 48.5 Normal +5.6
Grundy County, MO 47.5 Normal +4.6
Sullivan County, MO 45.4 Normal +2.5
Macon County, MO 44.3 Normal +1.4
Livingston County, MO 41.0 Normal -1.9
Chariton County, MO 27.5 Healthy -15.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Linn County
Hampshire County, WV 42.9 Normal 0.0
Baker County, OR 42.9 Normal +0.0
Orange County, VA 42.9 Normal -0.0
Lincoln County, MT 42.8 Normal -0.1
Bennington County, VT 43.0 Normal +0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Linn County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Linn County

Find an Attorney

Missouri Bar — Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Missouri Bar — Lawyer Referral Service 573-635-4128

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Linn County residents at no cost.

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri 314-534-4200 (St. Louis); 1-800-444-0514 (statewide hotline)
Legal Aid of Western Missouri 816-474-6750 (Kansas City); 1-800-748-2057 (statewide hotline)
Central Missouri Legal Services 573-442-0116
The Legal Aid and Defender Association (LAD) 816-474-6750
Legal Services of Southern Missouri (417) 881-1397
Mid-Missouri Legal Services Corporation (573) 442-0116

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Linn County, Missouri?

    Linn County has a County Distress Index score of 42.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,020th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 83rd in Missouri out of 115 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Linn County?

    The primary driver of distress in Linn County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 57.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Linn County compare to neighboring counties?

    Linn County (42.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Adair County, MO (48.5); Grundy County, MO (47.5); Sullivan County, MO (45.4).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Normal zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Linn County's score of 42.9 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Linn County's CDI score?

    Linn County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Linn County?

    Linn County, Missouri has a population of approximately 11,791 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.